New 2018 Audi A8 Appears On Video

12 July 2017, 12:45 | Ruben Fields

New Audi A8 tech fest turns up the heat on 7 series and S-class

Audi has unveiled the fourth-generation of its flagship sedan - the 2018 Audi A8. That said, it does look a lot more muscular and instantly recognisable from the last generation A8. This, along with air suspension, should provide drivers with a smoother ride (because each tire is controlled by its own electric motor.) The suspension system is coupled with Audi's new all-wheel steering system, and Audi says it will give the A8 a sporty feel and smaller turning radius.

The A8's Level 3 autonomous driving means that the driver is still present and can intervene if necessary, but is not required to monitor the situation in the same way it does for the previous levels.

The Traffic Jam Pilot will only be allowed on highways where oncoming traffic is separated.

The auto will have the Audi AI traffic jam pilot to take control of the tasks right from the ignition, accelerating, braking, as well as steering. For this, the A8 now uses a laser scanner (first in a production car), ultrasonic sensors, front camera as well as radar sensors.

Level 3 autonomous driving is not allowed in Germany, but Audi's CEO, Rupert Stadler, expects that to change next year. Aside from the extended overall dimensions, the A8 also comes with 12 exterior shades - three of them new - something that is really not out of the ordinary. The optional technology is based on the 48-volt electrical system and uses camera technology linked to individual electric motors for each wheel and actively adjust the suspension to react to any forthcoming bumps in milliseconds.

The A8 is Audi's flagship luxury sedan, so it's probably only to be expected it will feature such an astonishing piece of technology.

It should be noted that the 48-volt electrical system also powers the A8's active suspension.

Cars fitted with the autonomous driving feature will also be able to park themselves in garages without the need for the driver to be sitting in the vehicle.

In the near future, Audi will also add an electrified e-tron version of the A8L to its line-up. Executing on the brand's so-called "black panel architecture", the interior skips the rotary knob and touchpad of old in favor of of a pair of touch-sensitive panels to control everything from the infotainment system to the climate control functions. Later to come will be two V8 engine options, a 4.0 liter TDI V8 that will make 435 hp and the 4.0 liter TFSI V8 with 460 hp.

The new Audi A8 will go on sale in Germany in October this year at a starting price of Euro 90,600 for the standard model and Euro 94,100 for the long-wheelbase A8L.

There will be two engines to begin with; a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol with 335bhp and a 282bhp diesel. Audi also has the range topping 6.0-litre W12 engine on offer. EV and plug-In hybrids (the latter with 31 miles of electric-only driving) are coming as well, and rumor has it a 550-hp S8 is under development, too. Rear passengers can also control an array of functions such as ambient lighting, the new HD Matrix reading lights and seat massage, and can make private phone calls via a separate operating unit. A clean dashboard with its centre console featuring two large screens - one 10.1-inch and other 8.6-inch - dominates the cockpit.

All 2018 A8s are mild hybrids, using a belt alternator starter to restart effortlessly after coasting with the engine switched off.

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